Quadrant detector arrangement having integral light channels

Abstract

A quadrant detector arrangement (10) includes a quadrant detector (12) having a photosensitive surface (28) and a plurality of light channels (14) extending therethrough. Light from a light source (16) is collimated by a collimating optical element (18) and projected through the light channels (14) toward a workpiece (36) such that light reflected from the workpiece (36) impinges upon the photosensitive surface (28).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A quadrant detector arrangement; comprising: a quadrant detector having a photosensitive surface and a plurality of light channels therethrough; and   means for projecting light through said light channels toward a workpiece such that light reflected from said workpiece impinges upon said photosensitive surface.   
     
     
       2. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said quadrant detector further comprises: a light reflecting surface, said light reflecting surface opposing said photosensitive surface and disposed proximate said light projecting means.   
     
     
       3. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said light reflecting surface includes a non electrically conductive coating. 
     
     
       4. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein said non electrically conductive coating extends into said light channels. 
     
     
       5. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light channels are equally disposed among the quadrants of said quadrant detector. 
     
     
       6. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said quadrant includes 113 light channels. 
     
     
       7. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said light channel has a diameter of about 0.01 inches. 
     
     
       8. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a light shield, said light shield being disposed about said light projecting means and said quadrant detector such that stray light is prevented from entering said light channels.   
     
     
       9. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said light shield is formed from sheet metal and is disposed in a light tight manner about said light projecting means and said quadrant detector. 
     
     
       10. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light projecting means includes a light source and a collimating optical element, said collimating optical element being disposed between said light source and said quadrant detector. 
     
     
       11. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: means for receiving electrical signals from said quadrant detector; and   means, associated with each quadrant of said quadrant detector, for conducting electrical signals from said quadrant detector to said means for receiving signals from each said quadrant detector.   
     
     
       12. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means for receiving electrical signals from said quadrant detector includes a plurality of current-to-voltage amplifiers, each said current-to-voltage amplifier being disposed to receive electrical signals from only one of said quadrants of said quadrant detector. 
     
     
       13. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: means for processing signals from said signal receiving means, said means for processing signals producing an output signal; and   means for displaying said output signal from said signal processing means.   
     
     
       14. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for displaying said output signal includes a video display. 
     
     
       15. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a light shield, said light shield being disposed about said light projecting means and said quadrant detector such that stray light is prevented from entering said light channels; and   said light projecting means includes a light source and a collimating optical element, said collimating optical element being disposed between said light source and said quadrant detector.   
     
     
       16. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 15 further comprising: means for receiving electrical signals from said quadrant detector; and   means, associated with each quadrant of said quadrant detector, for conducting electrical signals from said quadrant detector to said means for receiving signals from each said quadrant detector.   
     
     
       17. The quadrant detector arrangement as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: means for processing signals from said signal receiving means, said means for processing signals producing an output signal; and   means for displaying said output signal from said signal processing means.